Big Brothers Big Sisters Southeastern PA (BBBS SEPA) is a donor and volunteer supported organization that provides children facing adversity -- often those of single parent or low-income households or families where a parent is incarcerated -- with strong and enduring, professionally supported one-to-one mentoring relationships that change their lives for the better. The program has been proven to help children achieve measurable outcomes, like educational success, avoidance of risky behaviors, higher aspirations, greater confidence and better relationships.

In 2011, BBBS SEPA served more than 3,500 children in Chester, Delaware, Montgomery and Philadelphia Counties, making the agency the 4th largest of 350 agencies nationwide. Most importantly, this program works. In recent years, 96% of children in the program were not arrested; 98% avoided becoming a teen parent; 96% advanced to the next grade; and 95% avoided tobacco, drugs and alcohol.

Unfortunately, more than 1,000 children are on their waiting list for a mentor; and of those kids, 800 are boys. Boys like Abdul, an only child in a single-parent household growing up in the Point Breeze neighborhood of Philadelphia.

“All of his cousins are older and didn’t have time for him. He was a lonely, lost child. I had to do something,” recalls his mother, Germaine. Abdul was matched with Big Brother Trevor more than three years ago.

Little Brother Abdul is very grateful to have Trevor in his life.

“It only gets better and better,” said Abdul. “Trevor is not my Big, he is just my brother now.”

Abdul was even part of Trevor’s wedding last spring (dressed in a tux just like the rest of thewedding party).

Germaine believes Trevor is “the best thing that happened to Abdul” and appreciates that her son opens up to Trevor about things he isn’t comfortable talking to her about.

“I only hope other boys are blessed with a Big Brother like my son,” she told us.

The agency is holding a free breakfast event in June for anyone interested in getting involved. The Big Stories Breakfast brings together more than 300 Philadelphia area professionals to learn about the mission and vision of Big Brothers Big Sisters Southeastern PA. Bring friends, family and co-workers to hear powerful testimonials from people whose lives have been positively impacted by the program.